UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists

Distribution by countries

UNESCO established its lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage with the aim of ensuring the better protection of important intangible cultural heritages worldwide and the awareness of their significance.[1] Through a compendium of the different oral and intangible treasures of humankind worldwide, the program aims to draw attention to the importance of safeguarding intangible heritage, which UNESCO has identified as an essential component and as a repository of cultural diversity and of creative expression.[2][3]

As of 2010 the programme compiles two lists. The longer Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity comprises cultural "practices and expressions [that] help demonstrate the diversity of this heritage and raise awareness about its importance." The shorter List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding is composed of those cultural elements that concerned communities and countries consider require urgent measures to keep them alive.[4][5]

In 2013 four elements were inscribed on the List Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, which helps States Parties mobilize international cooperation and assistance to ensure the transmission of this heritage with the participation of the concerned communities. The Urgent Safeguarding List now numbers 35 elements. The Committee also inscribed 25 elements on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which serves to raise awareness of intangible heritage and provide recognition to communities’ traditions and know-how that reflect their cultural diversity. The List does not attribute or recognize any standard of excellence or exclusivity. Four of the 158 States Parties to the Convention—Ethiopia, the Republic of Macedonia, Niger and Ukraine — had their first inscriptions on that List, which as of 2010 totalled 281 elements.[4]

Gallery

With roots dating back to the Middle Ages, the famed Carnival of Binche in Belgium ranks as one of Europe's oldest surviving street carnivals.[245]

Renowned for the virtuosity of its rhythmic patterns, Kunqu opera, has had a considerable influence on more recent forms of Chinese opera.[51]

Founded by escaped slaves in the 17th century, the cultural space of the Colombian village of Palenque de San Basilio encompasses social, medical and religious practices as well as musical and oral traditions of African origin.[58]

The Estonian Song Festival takes place every five years. The festival has grown a lot since the first one in 1869, today forming one of the biggest choirs in the world.

The performance of the Pansori, a genre of Korean traditional music, can last up to eight hours, as accompanied by a single barrel drum and improvising on texts that combine rural and erudite literary expressions.[190]

The Mystery Play of Elx is a liturgical drama dating from the Middle Ages, which is enacted and celebrated in the Basilica de Santa María in the city of Elche (Spain) on the 14 and 15th of August of each year.

Turkey's Mevleviyye are renowned for their whirling dances. The body of the whirler is meant to be supple, with eyes open but unfocused so that images become blurred and flowing.[216]

Often considered Tonga's national dance, Lakalaka is a blend of choreography, oratory, and vocal and instrumental polyphony.[214] In 2003, it was proclaimed as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Turkish Coffee has a unique identity and tradition with a special flavor, foam, smell, cooked and served.

Statistics

Ratification

States that ratified the Convention, by region:

Proclamation

UNESCO Member States

States Parties to the Convention

% States Parties – UNESCO Member States by region

Western Europe and North America

27

19

70%

Eastern Europe

25

24

96%

Latin America and Caribbean

33

29

88%

Asia and Pacific

44

31

75%

Africa

47

39

79%

Arab States

19

16

84%

TOTAL

195

158

80%

Elements inscribed in 2008–2013

Total of inscriptions to date: 337, of which 18 are multinational

Region

Elements / programmes

Submitting States

Africa

27

20

Arab States

19

13

Asia and the Pacific

132

17

Europe and North America

19

17

Latin America and the Caribbean

48

18

Eastern Europe

55

20

Total

337

98

Proclaimed masterpieces

The Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage were established in 2008, when the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage took effect.[246] Prior to this, a project known as the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity has already been active in recognizing the value of intangibles such as tradition, custom and cultural spaces and the local actors who sustain these forms of cultural expressions through a Proclamation.[2] Identification of the Masterpieces also entails the commitment of states to promote and safeguard these treasures, while UNESCO finances plans for their conservation.[2] Started in 2001 and held biennially until 2005, a total of three Proclamations occurred, encompassing 90 forms of intangible heritage around the world.[3]

The 90 previously proclaimed Masterpieces have been incorporated into the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as its first entries, to be known as elements.[1][247] Subsequent elements will be added following the assessment of nominations submitted by national governments acceding to the UNESCO Convention, termed as member states, who are each allowed to submit a single candidature file, in addition to multi-national candidatures. A panel of experts in intangible heritage and an appointed body, known as the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, then examine each of the nominations before officially inscribing the candidates as elements on the List.[248]

Notes

^ A. Names and spellings used for the elements were based on the official List as published.^ B. A total of three Proclamations of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity were made in 2001, 2003 and 2005. The proclamation was superseded in 2008 when the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity was established.^ C. The 90 elements that were previously proclaimed as Masterpieces have been inscribed onto the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as per the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.^ D. Grouping of member states by region is based on the official List as published. Abbreviations were used for convenience:

AFR: Africa

AST: Arab States

APA: Asia and the Pacific

ENA: Europe and North America

LAC: Latin America and the Caribbean

^ E. Turkey is included in the Asia and the Pacific Region.^ F. The Transcaucasian States of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, and Russian Federation are included in the Europe and North America Region.

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